Paint spray mask locating assembly

ABSTRACT

Apparatus useful in spraying a spray material on the surface of an article including a spray mask supported on a frame; a carriage for moving an article toward and away from a masking position adjacent the mask, and apparatus for precisely locating the spray mask on the support frame including a reciprocable locating pin receivable in a locating aperture provided in the underside of the spray mask and a pivotal actuator, connected to the locating pin via a lost motion connection, for moving the pin in a linear path of travel, into and out of the aperture as the actuator is swung about its fulcrum.

United States Patent- Dec. 4, 1973 Rich ' PAINT SPRAY MASK LOCATING ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Edward L. Rich, 3980 Peppermill Ln., Bay City, Mich. 48706 I [22] Filed: 'Mar. 23, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 237,468

[52] 11.8. C1. 118/301 [51] Int. Cl. B05c 5/00 [58] Field of Search 118/301, 500, 502,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,052,212 9/1962 MacArthur et a1. 118/301 X V 3,422,794 1/1969 Faber 118/301 Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney-John F. Learman et al.

[5 7 ABSTRACT Apparatus useful in spraying a spray material on the surface of an article including a spray mask supported on a frame; a carriage for moving an article toward and away from a masking position adjacent the mask, and apparatus for precisely locating the spray mask on the support frame including a reciprocable locating pin receivable in a locating aperture provided in the underside. of the spray mask and a pivotal actuator, connected to the locating pin via a lost motion connection, for moving the pin in a linear path of travel, into and out of the aperture as the actuator is swung about its fulcrum.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures I 500 i 32 2 ..1 P

PAIENIEUIIEII 4mm 3,776,180

SHEET 10F 2 IIIIIIII I PAINT SPRAY MASK LOCATING ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to spraying machines incorporating a spray mask, and more particularly, to appara tus forprecisely aligning a spray mask with a part to be sprayed with paint. Such machines are disclosed in the present inventors U. S. Pat. No. 3,590,779 granted July 6, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When only a portion of the outer surface-of an article is to be sprayed with paint, it is customary to employ a machine having a spray mask which has an opening for exposing the portion of the article to be sprayed and covers or masks the remaining portion ofthe article. Because of the larger numberof differently shaped parts which are generally sprayed at anyone manufacturing facility, it is necessary that acorrespondingly large number of masks be provided to accommodate the various parts. The masks" must be quickly inter changeable to minimize the changeover'time; It'is .important that the spray masks be precisely relatively located in the machine such that the article to be sprayed will be aligned with the article receiving opening in the spray mask to avoid damage to the article when the mask and article arebrought'into juxtaposition. In the past, the mask has been located 'by'mean's' of a locking pin which extends through an aperturein the support frame and into an aligned aperture provided in the exposed side of the spray mask. When theexp'osed portion of the article is subsequently sprayed, the exposed locking pin is also covered, with the spray material making its subsequent. removal difficult. Accord ingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spray mask locating assembly in such machines which will facilitate the quick and safe replacement'ofspray masks.

It is also important that the mask locating pins be vertically positioned when the mask is horizontallydisposed to completely horizontally stabilize the mask; Aligning pins, which have been provided on the article support of such machines for movement therewith toward and away from a spray mask, are 'receivablein apertures provided in the underside of the mask. The

spraying machines, on which the masks are utilized, are generally large, and the dimensional changes in the frame resulting from temperature changes and the relative movement of the various frame parts due to vibration of the machine or flexing resulti'ng'from 'a shift'in' the weight distribution cause pin and aperture alignment problems which are not solved with the prior art including a spray mask locating assembly that will 7 move a locating pin in a path transverse to the plane of the mask into and out of an aperture provided in the spray mask.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention'will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Apparatus for use in spraying an article comprising: a support frame, a replaceable spray mask movably mounted on the frame to and from a masking position to mask a portion of an article and expose a portion to be sprayed, an article support carriage movable between a removed position-and a position adjacent the mask, a spray mask locating assembly for precisely positioning the mask in the masking position including a locating pin, receivable in a locating aperture which is provided in the side of the spray mask confronting the article support carriage, and movable in a linear path out of the aperture to a removed, inoperative position, and a pivotal actuator mounted on the frame and connected to the locating pin via a lost motion connection to move .the pin between said inoperative position and aposition received in the aperture to preclude movement-'of'the mask in the plane of the mask.

The-present invention may more readily be described by-reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG; l is a partly sectional, front elevational view of apparatus constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is atop plan view taken'long the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; part of one mask; guideway being broken away to moreparticularly illustrate the underlying edge of themask;

FIG.- 3 is a-sectional end viewtaken along the line FIG. 4isa fragmentary front view illustrating the paint'spray' masklocating assembly in a mask-releasing position; I

FIG! 5is a sectional end view, similar to FIG. 3, of a slightly modified paint spray masklocating' assembly;

and I FIG. 6 is a-sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Apparatus constructed according to the present invention-is supported on a frame, generally designated F, including .a :pair of support legs 10, mounting a U- shaped sub-frame F having a base 12 and a pair of upstanding channel-shaped legs 14 at opposite ends thereof.

A vertically movable, article support platform, generally designated 16, is provided for supporting an article A to be sprayed and is supported, in its lowermost positionon a pair of frame-supported rest pads 18., For

moving the article support platform 16 between the lowered position, illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 1 and the raised position, illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 1,

a double-acting, solenoid-actuated, fluid-operated cylinder 20 is mounted on the base frame member 12 and includes a piston rod 22 coupled to the underside of the article support platform 16. For insuring that both ends ofthe platform 16 are vertically advanced at the same rate when the cylinder 20 is actuated, a pair of pinion gears 21, which are fixed to a shaft 25 that is joumaled' in'bea'rings 23; welded or otherwise suitably secured to the'underside of the platform 16, engage frame supported racks 24, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the inside portions of the upstanding frame legs 14. The side 24a of the racks 24 provide guide surfaces for the vertically traveling carriage 16. To maintain the racks 24 and pinion gears in engagement, it will be seen that brackets 24 depending from the underside of the platform 16 support rollers 26 which guide on the surfaces 24a of the guide rails during vertical travel of the carriage.

Disposed on the inside of the top portions of the upstanding legs 14 are a pair of spray mask guideways 30 defining a pair of opposed tracks 32 which slidably receive the edge portions 34a (FIG. 2) of a flat spray mask 34 having a part-receiving aperture 37 therein, configured so as to receive the top A of an article A to be sprayed with a slight clearance. There is a few thousandths of an inch end clearance between the edge portions 34a and the tracks 32 to permit relative sliding .of the mask to and from the masking position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. A brace member 36 spans the guides 30 along the rear edge portions thereof for maintaining a constant spacing between the'upstanding legs 14 and includes a downwardly extending flange 38 (FIG. 3) providing a rearward stop for the spray mask 34.

To precisely align the article-receiving aperture 37 with the article A so that the article will not be damaged as it is moved vertically from the lowered position to the raised position, illustrated respectively in chain and solid lines in FIG. 1, a pair of locating assemblies, generally designated 40, is provided and each includes a vertically movable locating or positioning pin slidably received in a bushing 48 mounted in a frame supported block 42. The positioning pins 50, which are slightly tapered at their free ends 50a, are receivable in apertures 52 provided in locating plates 54 welded or otherwise suitably fixed to the underside 34a of the spray mask 34 at each side thereof.

For moving the locating pins 50 between the raised,

. locating positions, illustrated in FIG. 1, and lowered,

inoperative positions, illustrated in FIG. 4, a pair of bell crank assemblies, generally designated 56, are provided and each includes a pair of arms 58 and 60 pivotally mounted by a shoulder bolt 62 or the like, on a mounting plate 64 which is spaced from the upstanding frame legs 14 by spacer members 68 and fixed thereto by bolts 66. Each bell crank arm 58 includes an elongated slot 70, receiving a pin 72 fixed to a clevis 74 mounted on the lower end of one of the locating pins 50. The connecting pin 72 and the slot provide a lost motion connection which permits the bell crank arm 58 to move in a swinging or arcuate path of travel while the pin 50 moves in a linear path of travel. The other arm 60 of the bell crank .assembly 56 includes a manually graspable handle 76 for moving the bell crank 56 between the positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4.

As can best be visualized in FIG. 3, apparatus is provided for removably locking each bell crank 56 in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes a locking ball 78 movably mounted in an elongated bore 80 provided in each bell crank leg 60 and the associated handle 76. The ball 78, which is outwardly biased into engagement with the mounting plate 64 by a spring-82 received in the bore 80, is prevented from escaping the bore 80 by inwardly swaged portions-78awhich block the mouth of each cavity 80. In the positions of the bell crank assemblies illustrated in FIG. 1, the balls 78 are received in sockets 83 provided in the faces of mounting plates 64. Lateral force applied to the handles 76 will force the balls 78 out of the sockets 83 against the biasing force of springs 82, so that the bell crank assemblies 56 can be swung from the positions illustrated in FIG. 1 to the positions illustrated in FIG. 4. A pair of stops 85 are mounted on the plates 64 for precluding complete withdrawal To insure that the finished construction is such that an article A on the support platform 16 will always be precisely aligned with the aperture 37 in the spray mask 34 when the locating pins 50 are aligned with the pinreceiving apertures 50, the pin-receiving apertures 52 are drilled and reamed in the locating plates 54 before the plates 54 are welded to the spray mask 34. Also, before the plates 54 are welded in position, they are positioned adjacent the spray mask 34, with the positioning pins 50 received in the pin-receiving holes 52, and the part A moved into position in the aperture 37 of the spray mask. Only thereafter are the blocks 54 welded to the underside of the spray mask 34. A paint sprayer, schematically designated 86, is mounted on the frame for spraying paint on the unmasked portion A of the part Awhen the part is in the raised position shown in chain lines in FIG. .1.

THE OPERATION A spray mask 34, including a cutout or opening 37 having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of a part A to be painted, is slidably received in the tracks 32 and is moved to its rearwardmost position abutting the stop 38. The bell cranks 56 are then swung from the positions illustrated in FIG. 4 to the positions illustrated in FIG. 1 so that the locking pins 50 are received in the apertures 52 to insure that the spray mask is precisely positioned in its masking position. The part A to be decorated is then placed on the platform, or carriage, 16 which is moved upwardly by the cylinder 20 so that the top A of the article A is received in the aperture 37 of the plate 34. The paint sprayer 86 is then operated to spray the top A of the part A. The cylinder 20 is then operated to retract the piston 22 so that the part A will be withdrawn from the opening 37.

If a substitute spray mask 34 is to be installed, the bell crank assemblies 56 are manually swung from the locating positions, illustrated in FIG. 1, to the inoperative positions, illustrated in FIG. 4, against the bias of the springs 82 maintaining the balls 78 in the sockets 83. The mask 34 can then be slid out of the tracks 32 and a substitute mask replaced in position.

THE ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is particularly adapted for use with a relatively large machine, for example, one inwhich the upstanding legs 14 are six feet apart. In large machines, the midportion of the end supported base frame member 12 will tend to downwardly and the upper ends of the channelshaped members 14 will tend to bow inwardly or converge. The rear portions of the upper ends of the legs 14 are prevented from converging by the braceor cross member 36, however, the forward portions of the free ends of the upstanding frame members 14 can converge. This becomes an important consideration when the method of installation is considered as will presently be described. In locating the locating plates 54, it

' has previously been described that the spray mask 34 is positioned on an article A moved to the chain line position, illustrated in FIG. 1, and the locating plate 54 is positioned adjacent the spray mask 34 with the posiof the'pins50 from the bushings tioning pins 50 received in the pin-receiving holes 52 prior to the plates 54 being weldedto the underside of the mask 34. It is frequently necessary that the entire machine be inverted to stabilize the locating plate 50 on the mask 34 prior to securing the mask and plate together. When the machine in inverted, the weight of the support platform 16 is redistributed or shifted from the upper side of the base member 12 and the upstanding legs 14 such that the front portion of the legs will spread apart a slight distance. If the locating plate is properly positioned to receive the frame supported pins 50 when the machine is inverted, then it will not be aligned therewith when the machine is installed in its normal position because the front portions of the upstanding legs will return thereby moving the positioning pins inwardly out of alignment with the openings 52.

To prevent this from occurring, the apparatus, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, is provided. It is generally similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, and accordingly corresponding parts will be identified with identical numerals followed with an a subscript.

The assembly in FIG. 5 differs from that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 in that the locating plates 54a are supported at the rear of the spray mask 34a and, thus, the locating blocks 42a are also supported at the rear of the frame adjacent the brace member 36 and mount bushings 48a for receiving vertically movable positioning pins 50a. Apparatus for moving the pins 50a into and out of the apertures 52a provided in the underside of the locatorv blocks 54a includes actuator arms 60a fixed to the front ends of transverse shafts 62a, rotatably mounted in the support plates 64a at the front of the machine. Fixed to the rearward ends of the shafts 62a, are collars 88 mounting actuating arms 58a which are pivotally connected with clevises 74a by pins 72a and received in elongated slots 70a at the free ends of bell crank arms 58a. This construction thus mounts the locating pins 72a and the locator blocks 54a at the rear of the machine where the frame distortion is controlled, yet mounts the actuators at the front of the machine so as to be readily accessible to an operator.

It should also be understood that the locking balls 78 and springs 82 could be replaced by rigid projections on the inside portions of the bell crank assemblies 56 and flat springs, placed between the heads of the shoulder bolts 62 and the bell crank assemblies 56,'to bias such rigid projections toward the sockets 83.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contem plated that various changes may be made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. Apparatus useful in spraying a spray material on the surface of a masked article comprising:

a frame; support means on said frame for cle; I masking means for masking one portion of the surface of an article and exposing another portion of the surface of an article to be sprayed with spray material, while the article is supported on said support means, said masking means being removable supporting an artitween removed and adjacent positions in which said one portion of the surface of said article is masked; means for precisely locating said masking means on said frame in said masking position to align said masking means with said support means and an article thereon comprising:

locating vpin means, positioned on said opposite side of said masking means, reciprocally movable in a longitudinal and linear path of travel between a removed position and a locating position in said aperture means to substantially prevent movement of said masking means in the plane of the masking means and insure that said masking means and said support means are precisely aligned; and

pin actuating means connected to said pin means and mounted on'said frame for movement between inoperative and operative positions to longitudinally move said locating pin means between said removed and locating positions.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said pin actuating means comprises a lever swingably mounted on said frame and connected to said locating pin means with a lost motion connection.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said lever comprises a bell crank having a pair of interconnected arms swingably mounted on said frame, one of said arms being connected to said pin means with a lost motion connection, and locking means on the other of said arms for removably locking said bell crank in said operative position. I

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said locating means comprises a socket in said frame and a projection disposed between said other arm and said frame and positioned so as to be received in said socket when said bell crank is in said operative position, and

'means biasing said projection toward said socket.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes stop. means on said frame for interrupting the complete withdrawal of said locking pin means from said aperture means.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a vertically disposed, U-shaped support member having a base and a pair of vertical support legs at opposite ends of said support member; a spacer bar spanning and fixed to the rear portions of said support legs; said pin receiving aperture means being disposed in the rear portion of said masking means adja cent said spacer bar, said pin actuating means comprising actuator means pivotally mounted on the front of said support legs, actuable lever means pivotally mounted on the rear of said support legs andconnected with said locating pin means, and force transmitting means spanning said actuator means and said actuable means for transmitting movement of said actuator means to said actuable means and said locating pin means.

December 4, 1973 Dated Patent No. 776 I l80 Inventor(s) 'Edward L. Ric-h It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 17, change "larger" tolarge Column 2, line 51, change "on" to by Column 3, line 2, change "24" to 23 Column 6, line 8, before "removed" insert a after "removed" insert position after "and" insert .a after "adjacent" insert' e masking.--,

and delete "s" on "positions".

Column 6, line 41, after "locating" insertfi-r-fap erture after "and" insert said locating pin means comprises line 45, after "means", insert is provided for Signed and sealed this 16th day of April 197b,. Q

(SEAL) v Attest:

EDWARD lLFLETCHERJR. Q "C. I IABSHALL DA'NN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FQYBM 304050 (10459) I Q I USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 fi' U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTHIG OFFICE lll O-JGG-SJ, 

1. Apparatus useful in spraying a spray material on the surface of a masked article comprising: a frame; support means on said frame for supporting an article; masking means for masking one portion of the surface of an article and exposing another portion of the surface of an article to be sprayed with spray material, while the article is supported on said support means, said masking means being removable from a masking position and having one side exposed to any spray material which may be directed toward the exposed article surface and an opposite side confronting said support means and including locating aperture means therein; means for relatively longitudinally moving said article support means and said masking means between removed and adjacent positions in which said one portion of the surface of said article is masked; means for precisely locating said masking means on said frame in said masking position to align said masking means with said support means and an article thereon comprising: locating pin means, positioned on said opposite side of said masking means, reciprocally movable in a longitudinal and linear path of travel between a removed position and a locating position in said aperture means to substantially prevent movement of said masking means in the plane of the masking means and insure that said masking means and said support means are precisely aligned; and pin actuating means connected to said pin means and mounted on said frame for movement between inoperative and operative positions to longitudinally move said locating pin means between said removed and locating positions.
 2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said pin actuating means comprises a lever swingably mounted on said frame and connected to said locating pin means with a lost motion connection.
 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said lever comprises a bell crank having a pair of interconnected arms swingably mounted on said frame, one of said arms being connected to said pin means with a lost motion connection, and locking means on the other of said arms for removably locking said bell crank in said operative position.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said locating means comprises a socket in said frame and a projection disposed between said other arm and said frame and positioned so as to be received in said socket when said bell crank is in said operative position, and means biasing said projection toward said socket.
 5. The Apparatus of claim 4 wherein said apparatus includes stop means on said frame for interrupting the complete withdrawal of said locking pin means from said aperture means.
 6. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame includes a vertically disposed, U-shaped support member having a base and a pair of vertical support legs at opposite ends of said support member; a spacer bar spanning and fixed to the rear portions of said support legs; said pin receiving aperture means being disposed in the rear portion of said masking means adjacent said spacer bar, said pin actuating means comprising actuator means pivotally mounted on the front of said support legs, actuable lever means pivotally mounted on the rear of said support legs and connected with said locating pin means, and force transmitting means spanning said actuator means and said actuable means for transmitting movement of said actuator means to said actuable means and said locating pin means. 